Observation of Continuous-Wave On-Resonance "Self-Focusing"

K. Tai, H. M. Gibbs, M. C. Rushford, N. Peyghambarian, J. S. Satchell, M. G. Boshier, R. J. Ballagh, W. J. Sandle, M. LeBerre, E. Ressayre, A. Tallet, J. Teichmann, Y. Claude, F. P. Mattar, P. D. Drummond

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report what to our knowledge are the first observations of an increase in the On-Axis intensity of an intense cw On-Resonance beam resulting from nonlinear absorption and diffraction during its propagation through a highly absorbing medium (sodium vapor). This "Self-Focusing" is not a Self-Lensing; instead it is modeled well by placing an aperture part way through the cell: The stripping by the aperture approximates the effect of the nonlinear absorption, and then Fresnel diffraction results in On-Axis minima and maxima.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)243-245
Number of pages3
JournalOptics letters
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1984

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Observation of Continuous-Wave On-Resonance "Self-Focusing"'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this